Aug 12 2008
Airline Broadband to Hawaii
The long-awaited roll out of airline WiFi is upon us. The airlines are convinced that we are willing to pay to use it, so they intend to buy and provide the service.
How much are you willing to pay for WiFi?
A recent survey by Forrester Research, reported by the New York Times, indicated that 45% of leisure travelers would pay $10 for Internet access on a flight longer than four hours.
The big question I’ve been pondering is whether WiFi will be working between the US Mainland and Hawaii. My research doesn’t look good. Right now the only possible hope is Alaska Airlines.
Here’s how WiFi is looking on the major carriers:
1. Alaska Airlines
Our overall winner in WiFi service to Hawaii is Alaska Airlines. They will soon offer satellite-based Row 44 Wi-Fi. This service is slated to work over water between the U.S. and Hawaii.
2. American Airlines (AA) and Delta Signed for Gogo
AA and Delta announced in-fight Wi-Fi on transcontinental flights using Aircell’s Gogo Service. American will begin trial service in 15 jets initially, starting in the next few weeks. Delta’s service will debut on East Coast flights first and cover the entire fleet by mid-next year.
American Airlines will offer free service on Wednesdays, but will otherwise charge $12.95 for flights over three hours, and $9.95 for shorter ones. Free access will be provided, however, to the American Airlines website, Frommers, and some news headlines.
Delta will charge $12.95 for flights over three hours too.
Gogo only works over the continental U.S. Once you start flying across the Pacific, it’s time to disconnect.
3. Continental Airlines
Continental is slated to offer a form of in-flight WiFi starting early 2009. The service provides for text messaging and email, but apparently not web browsing. Continental will also offer three dozen channels of live, in-flight satellite-based television programming provided by LiveTV at every seat on Continental’s new generation aircraft. The service is scheduled to cost $6 in economy. LiveTV is owned by JetBlue.
4. Hawaiian Airlines
I have heard rumors that Hawaiian is also testing in-flight WiFi but cannot get any corroborating information.
5. Northwest Airlines
No announcement here. But with their planned merger with Delta, my assumption is that Northwest will be using Aircell Gogo as well.
6. United Airlines
I was unable to find anything from United of recent. They announced they would add WFi about three years ago.
7. US Airways
Free trial WiFi service starting this fall. No further information is available.
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That would be cool. I’d go $10 on a trip to the mainland if it were reliable, we’re already looking that for a movie on a lot of airlines.